Folding table



May 12, 1931. c. G. CARLSON FOLDING TABLE Filed May 7, 1930 5% ZZ r r af 072 igs;

Patented May 12, 1931 CHAR-LES G. CARLSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FOLDING TABLE Application filed May 7, 1930.

This invention relates to folding tables and particularly to ironing tables.

Among the objects of the invention is to produce a folding table of simple construction, which is readily collapsed and erected, and which is durable and rigid when erected.

The invention will readily be understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which;

Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, showing an erected ironing table embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the underside of the table in collapsed condition;

Fig. 3 is a detail on the line 3 of Fig. 1 showing the relation between the rear leg frame and the diagonal stay in erected position, and

Fig. 4; is a similar detail showing the relation between these parts while the table is being collapsed.

Referring to the drawing, the table com- I prises a board '10 of conventional shape. Upon the underside of the board are mounted blocks 11 which provide bearings for a bar or rod 12, which provides a pivot for the rear leg member 18 and the forward leg member 1 1. V

The rear leg member 13 comprises a pair of uprights which diverge outwardly in the downwardly direction and are connected to gether by a slat 15. The upper ends of the uprights are secured, for example, by nails, to the bar 12 adjacent the outer sides of the blocks 11, as shown in Fig. 2.

The forward leg member 14 comprises a pair of longitudinal strips, the ends of which are positioned adjacent the inner sides of the blocks 11 and are provided with openings through which the bar 12 passes. The forward ends of the strips are secured together by means of a bolt or the like. Adjacent their centers these strips are held in spaced relation by means of a bar 16, which is provided with reduced ends which are rotatably received in openings in these strips.

The stay 17 is rigidly secured to the bar 16. The lower portion of the stay is provided with a slot 18 which is preferably Serial No. 450,354.

slightly inclined to its longitudinal direction. At its lower end the slot 18 is provided with a small lateral extension 19 which is cut back slightly, as shown in Fig. 2. A pin 20 supported upon the slat 15 by a suitable bracket extends through the slot 18. At its outer end the pin carries a bar 21 which rests upon the surface of the stay and maintains the pin and slot in operative relation. Mounted on the underside of the board 10 is a block 22 which is cut away in its rear side so as to engage the upper end of the stay 17, as shown in Fig. 1. The relation between the bar 21, the bar 16 and the block 22 is such that in the erected condition, as shown in Fig. 1, the stay 17 is curved upwardly slightly so that it exerts resilient forces which tend to keep the erected table rigid. It will be readily understood from Fig. 1 that the upper end of the stay 17 exerts a downward pressure upon the block 22 and consequently upon the board 10. At the same time the stay 17 supports the forward end of the board 10 against downward pressure. The lower portion of the stay 17 prevents relative spreading between the leg members 13 and 14, while the engagement of the pin 20 with the lateral extension 19 of the slot 18 prevents any tendency of the leg members to move toward each other.

The table is very readily erected. For example, the upper end of the stay 17 may be brought into position with respect to the block 22. This movement causes the leg member 13 to move rearwardly, bringing the pin 20 to a position near the lower end of the slot 18. By applying a relatively small force the rear member 13 may be pulled outwardly still further so as to permit the pin 20 to be moved into the lateral extension 19 of the slot 18. The table is now in rigid erected condition. It will be readily understood that the table can readily be collapsed by moving the stay 17 slightly so as to bring the pin 20 into the slot 18.

It will be readily understood from Fig. 2 that the stay 17 may be formed to lie between the strips of the forward leg member 14 so that the table may be collapsed into a very compact shape.

Although the invention has been. disclosed in connection with the details 01% a specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the inv ition, except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim 1. An ironing table comprising a board, a pair of leg members pivotally secured. there to, a rigid stay pivotally mounted on one leg member, means on the board adapted to be engaged by the stay, and means including a pin on the other leg member and an L- shaped slot in the stay in which the pin runs for securing the stay to said other leg member against lengthwise movement when erected.

2. An ironing table comprising a board, a pair ofleg members pivotally secured there to, a stay pivotally mounted on one leg memher, means on the board adapted to be engaged by the stay, and means including a headedipiuon the other leg member and an L-shaped slot in the stay in which said pin runs, for securing the stay to said other leg member against lengthwise movement when erected, and whereby to bend the stay and cause the same to exert forces to impart rigidity to the erected table.

An ironing table comprising a board, a pair of leg members pivotally secured thereto, astay. pivotally mounted on one leg-memberat an intermediate point, and a block on the underside of the board adapted to be engagedr by the stay, said stay and the other leg member having a headed pin and slot connectioiradapted to bend the stay, in the erected position of the table, to cause it to exert downward pressure upon the block, said slot havin'ga lateral extension for receiving the pin whereby to prevent relative movement between the stay-and last said leg member and to maintain the stay in bent condition.

4. An ironing table comprising a board, a pair of leg members pivotally secured thereto, a stay pivotally mounted on one leg member at an intermediate point, a block on the underside of the board adapted to be engaged by the stay, the. stay being provided with a longitudinal slot having a lateral extension at one end, and a pincarried by the other leg member adapted to move in the slot, said pin having a bar on its outer end adapted to engage with the face of the stay and the lateral extension oi the slot being adapted to receive the pin when the table is erected and cause the stay to exert pressure upon the block.

Anironing table comprising a board. a pair of leg members pivotally secured there to adjacent one end, one leg member extending obliquely under the board, a rigid stay pivotally secured to. said leg member at an intermediate point, means on the board adapt ed to be engaged by one end of the stay to he supported thereby, and means including a headed pin on the other leg member and an L-shaped slot in the stay in which said head ed pin runs for securing the stay to said other leg member against lengthwise movement when erected.

6. An ironing table comprising a board, a pair of leg members pivotally secured there to adjacent one end, one leg member extending obliquely under the board, a stay formed with an L-shaped slot at one end and pivotally secured to said last mentioned leg member at an intermediate point, means on the board adapted to be engaged by one end of the stay, and means carried by the other leg member and having a part engaging in said L-shaped slot of the stay and a part engaging the face of the stay for securing the other end ot the stay to said other leg membe so astobend the stay and cause the same to exert forces to impart rigidity to the erected table.

7. An ironing table comprising a board, a pair of leg members pivot-ally secured there to adjacent one end, one leg member extending obliquely under the board, a staypivotally secured to said leg member at an intermediate point, and a block on the under side of the board adapted to be engaged by one end of the stay, the other end'of the stay having an L-shaped slot therein and the other leg member having a headed pin engagingin said L-shaped slot adapted to bend the stay in the erected position of the table to cause it to exert downward pressure upon the block, said-headed pin being adaptedto prevent relative movement between the stay and said last mentioned leg member and to maintain the stay inbent condition.

8. An ironing table comprising a board, a pair of leg members pivotally secured thereto adjacent one end, one leg member extending obliquely under the board, a stay pivotally mounted on said leg member at anintermediate point, a block on the underside of the board adapted to be engaged by one endof'the stay, the other end of the stay being provided with a longitudinal slot having a lateral extension at its outer end, and a pin carried by the other leg member adapted to move in the slot, said pin having a bar on its outer end adapted to engagethe face-of the stay and the lateral extension of the slot being adapted to receive the pin when the table is erected and cause the stay to exert pressure upon the block.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand'this 5th day of April, 1930.

CHARLES G. CARLSON. 

